This is a Water Cooler Wednesdays post…
One of the biggest things I’ve wanted to do in my life is actually put down roots and live somewhere for more than 2 or 3 years. For much of my life, it seems I’ve lived a nomadic existence. Since 1994 when I went off to the University of Oklahoma, I haven’t stayed in the same place for very long.
I want the relationships and familiarity that can only come with living or dwelling somewhere for a long period of time. We never guessed that place would be Fort Smith, Arkansas, but here we are. After living here for 10 months in an apartment, the perfect house for us went on the market and we acted quickly. God has been in control of this whole thing and has been very faithful to help us during this process of putting down roots.
The last few weeks have been quite tiring and difficult… juggling job, family and moving. All the packing, U-Hauling, scraping, painting, ripping up, laying down, measuring, cleaning, fixing, buying, installing and aching has been worth it. I haven’t been to the gym in 2 weeks and haven’t walked in almost as long, but I’ve been burning calories and pumping the muscles in other ways. We didn’t expect this to be such an ordeal, but it’s totally worth it to settle into such a great community, church and job.
I really need to take some time to write down my life list. Up until now, I just sort of have this running list in my head… and there are still lots of things I want to do like skydive, go to Australia, take an African Safari, visit Tokyo, Israel, Ireland and Montana. I want to do a marathon, write a lot of great songs and have a few more children. I want God to change me into who He has always wanted me to be. I still want to get an MBA and a PhD… mainly just for me, but to keep learning. I don’t ever want to stop learning, growing and experiencing something outside my comfort zone.
I believe setting down roots is going to play a major role in the great things that are yet to come and I can’t wait to see where God takes us as we plant ourselves and serve him with our lives and all He has blessed us with. Check out the song Roots Before Branches by Nikki and Adam Anders on iTunes.
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We finally feel like we’ve settled down some roots in Phoenix. Being from California, it was difficult to imagine CA not being “home.” But God has allowed us to wander and to know the feeling of being a pilgrim, of being unsettled and unconnected and “us-against-the-world.” Thankfully, we’ve discovered a community that feels like us. We’ve been blessed with friends that feel like family. We finally bought a house. Our kids are in great schools. Our married daughter lives nearby. When we turn off the main road onto our street, we can almost close our eyes and know when to turn right into our driveway. It just feels right.
How did I not know you had a blog until today? I just linked you. You better share the love. You better. http://www.johnvoelz.com
Peace, man!
Awesome!!!
Do you have a new email address?